Norwalk Historical Society plans a tasty history lesson

Christina Hennessy

Updated 5:34 pm, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Photo: Lisa Weir, ST

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A group of Civil War reenactors of the 11th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. A are expected to be a part of the festivities when the Norwalk Historical Society is planning a barbecue and history event Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, at Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk. For more information on admission and hours, visit norwalkhistoricalsociety.org or call 203-846-0525. Above, members of the group fire their guns during the Danbury Memorial Day Parade in 2011. less

A group of Civil War reenactors of the 11th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. A are expected to be a part of the festivities when the Norwalk Historical Society is planning a barbecue and history ... more

Photo: Lisa Weir, ST

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The Norwalk Historical Society is planning a barbecue and history event Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, at Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk. In addition to barbecue for purchase from eight area restaurants, reenactors from the 11th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. will be giving demonstrations of an average day at camp during the Civil War. Admission is $12 for those 12 and over, $8 for 4-11 years old and free for those 3 and younger. For more information, norwalkhistoricalsociety.org or call 203-846-0525. less

The Norwalk Historical Society is planning a barbecue and history event Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, at Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk. In addition to barbecue for purchase from eight area restaurants, ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

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The Norwalk Historical Society is planning a barbecue and history event Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, at Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk. In addition to barbecue for purchase from eight area restaurants, reenactors from the 11th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. will be giving demonstrations of an average day at camp during the Civil War. Admission is $12 for those 12 and over, $8 for 4-11 years old and free for those 3 and younger. For more information, norwalkhistoricalsociety.org or call 203-846-0525. less

The Norwalk Historical Society is planning a barbecue and history event Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, at Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk. In addition to barbecue for purchase from eight area restaurants, ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Norwalk Historical Society plans a tasty history lesson

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The Norwalk Historical Society plans to serve up a rather flavorful history lesson this weekend, combining an American culinary tradition with interactive activities focused on the Civil War.

"We work to create events that are fun ... and we hope people will become more interested (in history)," said David Westmoreland, the society's board president.

To that end, eight area restaurants will gather at Mill Hill Historic Park on Saturday, Aug. 18, to offer contemporary barbecue fare.

In between samplings, visitors will have a chance to see the society's current exhibition, "Norwalk and the Civil War," timed to coincide with the war's 150th anniversary, and watch as a group of Civil War reenactors -- members of the 11th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. A -- recreate the scene of a typical day at camp.

The "live" history lesson is a good complement to the exhibit, organizers said. After visitors take a glimpse at the Union and Confederate artifacts featured in the exhibit housed in the society's town house, they can journey over to the reenactors, who will be showing guests how the soldiers set up camp, what food they ate and the equipment they used.

"It makes it very easy for people to visualize and to understand," Westmoreland said.

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John Turchick, a Norwalk resident who is president of Company A, said the experience is very interactive. Although the reenactors have a few set activities planned, such as displays and demonstrations, visitors' questions and interests are an integral part of the experience.

"I remember spending an hour with one group of kids who were very interested in talking about what it was like back then," Turchick said. "They were very interested in the food."

He said the group would provide more of an overall view of life and service during the war, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, rather than focus on a particular battle.

"We'll also have a couple of civilian folks there, as well, talking about what it was like at home," he said.

The 11th Regiment is a diverse group of men and women, but they are bound by their interest in the Civil War and history. Turchick, who has been involved in re-enactment and living history events for about 15 years, said the membership comes from across the state.

"This is why we like to do things like this," Turchick said of the upcoming historical society event. "We hope to get the knowledge out there."

He said the group often gets followup email and phone calls from people asking where they can look to find out more about the war or about a particular person.

"We hope people will get interested (in history) and go off and do their own research," Westmoreland added.

Visitors also have a chance to help rebuild a part of history. The net proceeds from the barbecue will help fund the restoration of the Civil War Soldier Monument, which was vandalized several years ago, leaving it in pieces.

The Norwalk Historical Society, which has affectionately named the statue "Chester," is hoping to raise the funds to restore the sculpture and put it back on its pedestal at Riverside Cemetery.